Hi I have been trying to decide on buying a cavalier pup or getting a rescue dog. I think my decision was taken out of my hands not that i AM complaining. Some people would call it faith. Just got a call about a cavalier pup needing a new home that my friend heard about. This eight week old pup was bought as a present but was not a wanted present but as this person works alot and travels she cannot keep this little baby. So i was asked to take her. My decision will have to wait until the morning until i talk to my husband but i think i will offer her a home as i would have the time to give this pup the attention she needs . So if any one has any advise on this i would be very greatfull . I am trying not to get too excited icon_whistling but it is proving a little bit difficult not to :p . So i will let you know how i get on when the decision is made . I told every one i would go out to see her then make my decision :oops: but they said that wouldnt be a good idea cause i would bring her home no matter what which is totally true icon_whistling . I am hopeless when it comes to thoses puppies eyes :sl*p:

Cathy T

16th May 2006, 11:47 PM

Uh huh!! It's called fate!! Sounds like a wonderful situation for all of you, the puppy, the owners and you!! Go for it. Guarantee...you go see her and you WILL bring her home!!

stacey

17th May 2006, 12:06 AM

You could bet your life on it i wouldnt even have to see her my heart is pounding thinking of her . Hopefully things work out i am sure she would be a great adddition to our family. Hopefully this time tom i will have a new baby in our house. Will keep you updated on this and hopefully i will be posting her photo up as my new baby by the week end.. :lol:

Moviedust

17th May 2006, 12:45 AM

Good luck!!

An 8 wk old pup will definitely be like an infant, and it will need extra TLC as it is so young. If you've got the time and love, I'm sure you'll be fine. Definitely have to post pics, though!!

Karlin

17th May 2006, 12:56 AM

Boy I'd certainly grab that opportunity! Let us know what happens!

Eight weeks would be a pretty standard age for cavalier puppies to be homed in the UK and Ireland --the US breeders tend to leave it much later. There are some good arguments for waiting and I can see the point from one perspective, but I do think you tend to miss having the puppy at one of the most enjoyable stages, and certainly I have seen no difference in how well adjusted the resulting dogs are. Also other breeds are rehomed at 8 weeks in the US so I'm not sure I have ever understood why cavaliers should be a special case.

I got Jaspar at 8 weeks and he was an absolute delight but also kept me very busy because they are indeed babies! One argument in favour of getting an older puppy is that they have progressed in the time they can hold their bladder for example so housetraining is a bit further along the way. A young pup is going to need to be taken out in the middle of the night almost certainly, and I found the first two months were quite intensive -- things get much easier after about 4 months. So just be ready for some work and a major investment of time. That said, it will also be lots and lots of fun -- the fun kind of work. :) Well except for cleaning up the poop. :lol:

floínn

17th May 2006, 01:00 AM

go for it stacey and get those photos up for us :thmbsup:

LauraD

17th May 2006, 01:45 AM

Stacey,
Wow an 8 week old puppy! She's gonna have that wonderful puppy smell! It's pretty hard to resist. Just try to prepare yourself for lots of getting up to let the little one out and lots of patience and TLC. Sounds to me like you already made up your mind ;) , but it also sounds like it's kinda meant to be. And a "win-win" for everybody.
Looking forward to pics and lots of info. about your new baby!

Sally

17th May 2006, 02:21 AM

Keeping fingers and paws crossed for you!! Positive thoughts! It really does sound like fate. :D

judy

17th May 2006, 04:22 AM

i hope you get her. do you know what color she is?

Angela

17th May 2006, 09:01 AM

Im sure you will be able to give this little cavalier a great home. I really cant understand how a cavalier could ever be an unwanted gift. I mean those faces. Just too cute.

stacey

17th May 2006, 09:11 AM

i have no idea what colour she is i dont mind. thanks for all the feed back. I know she will be like a baby thats whats so exciting. I dont mind getting up at night i am well used to it . My husband comes in at 8 o clock from work so fingers crossed i might have her by this evening. I dont know the womans thoughts on giving her away but i would say she is doing the best for the puppy. I love that puppy smell icon_whistling . If things get bad with the toilet training i can always use the babies nappies :badgrin: :p

Bruce H

17th May 2006, 01:04 PM

Sounds like you already know the answer! Do you know anything about the breeder, the lines, etc.

BTW, in all the litters we have had, we have NEVER had someone come out to the house, look at the litter and the rest of the adults, and go home without a puppy. I've always said, puppies are as addictive as cocaine.

Claire

17th May 2006, 01:23 PM

Congratulations Stacey - all the very best of luck with your new furbaby..... b*n*n*

stacey

17th May 2006, 03:45 PM

Thanks everyone still havent got her yet she is a tri colour pure baby waiting to get a lift to see her . Hope all works out the woman is a bit hesitant to let her go so we will see what happens.

sarahg

17th May 2006, 05:01 PM

Good luck Stacey, let us know when you get her.

Karlin

17th May 2006, 05:56 PM

Ooooh we are all waiting!!! :xfngr:

BTW, in all the litters we have had, we have NEVER had someone come out to the house, look at the litter and the rest of the adults, and go home without a puppy.

I should say not; I'd be sneaking several puppies and a few of your beautiful adults in the car too... :drivecar:

judy

17th May 2006, 08:35 PM

....Hope all works out the woman is a bit hesitant to let her go so we will see what happens.

I admire the woman's willingness to consider giving her up, if she's rarely home. She must be able to see already that the puppy is sad and lonely being left alone a lot. Unless she can afford some kind of doggy daycare or dog sitter, it would be the humane thing to give her to someone who would be with her more than it sounds like this woman is able to do. these are such sociable dogs, and it's not healthy for them to be alone too much. i hope things will work out for you and the pup and this woman.

Perhaps it could be an "open adoption" and she could visit the puppy, and even maybe have her over to her home sometimes, take her on outings to the park and things like that--the best of both worlds for her and for everyone....

Jen

17th May 2006, 09:38 PM

Good luck!!!! :xfngr:

Linda

17th May 2006, 10:02 PM

Got my legs crossed, my fingers, my eyes and anything else that I
can possibly cross for you.
Oh how sweet, can't wait for the news.
Are you going to keep the name they gave her or come up with another ?????????

Alison_Leighfield

18th May 2006, 09:41 AM

Have we any news yet? .....

&

Linda the picture of your Ruby baby is SOOOooooooo beautiful! couldn't you just hug him and hug him!

Alison, Wilts, UK.

stacey

18th May 2006, 09:55 AM

Hi every one . thanks for all the positive comments . Went out to see her yesterday she is a wee dote . But the woman wasnt ready to let her go so i am waiting for her to ring me and let me know her decision. :( . I went there with a little blanket and teddy ect but she just doesnt know what she s going to do. I left them with her after all if she does decide to let me have her the puppy would have them for comfort when she came to my house. I was so upset yesterday cos as soon as i seen her it was love so i couldnt bring myself to tell anyone but there is still a chance i will get her so fingers crossed.

Karlin

18th May 2006, 11:27 AM

Oh, that is very difficult. The woman should have made the decision before having you come to look at the puppy. I hope this will work out for you. :flwr:

Linda

18th May 2006, 01:38 PM

That is not very nice, if she was not 99% sure why would she let you
come over.
Did she say when she was going to ring you, just a word of advice
when I went to see Darby last wkd. My breeder was telling me about
a lady who came to visit one of her tri puppies that she was going to keep and has now decided to let her go. She said she had a funny feeling about her and did not feel comfortable so she informed her right away
that she would not be selling her the puppy.

This lady hounded her on the phone for days, it got to the point that
she just stopped answering the phone. I know this is different as she
is a breeder but just a thought for you.

I am not suggesting this is the same situation, but please please Stacey
give her the space she needs. This could very well push her into a
emotional decision.

I still have everything crossed for you, and please please keep us posted.

Thinking of you.

stacey

19th May 2006, 10:34 AM

I wouldnt even dream of hounding anyone . It is totally up to her . She rang yesterday and decided to keep the pup and when she is away she is going to leave her in kennels . I wished her the best of luck and offered my help if she needed it . Maybe it wasnt meant to be after all .But i wont stop looking until i find my doggy companion. :p

Forest

19th May 2006, 12:02 PM

So sorry to hear of your experience but at least now you know and will be able to look for your very own special baby. Best of luck
Julie and the girls

Nicki

19th May 2006, 12:10 PM

I'm so sorry to hear this Stacey, you must be very disappointed and it's not very nice of the woman to have let you go and see the pup and then change her mind.

I'm sure there will be a special Cavalier out there for you, keep looking and we will all be looking for you too.

stacey

19th May 2006, 12:46 PM

I was upset but what can you do it is her decision. My son was upset so we will keep looking . Will keep everyone posted and hopefully it wont be long and i can post the new addition. :p

sparklinghappysam

20th May 2006, 12:51 PM

Hello everyone, I am new to tis board so bear with me.

Sounds like you had a lucky escape from the puppy, you really shouldn't have a puppy when you know nothing of it's breeding or where it's come from. Sorry if I've got the wrong end of the stick.

Karlin

20th May 2006, 08:18 PM

I think perhaps that is the wrong perspective in this particular case. I agree that people generally don't want to buy a puppy from a breeder (and never a broker!) with no idea of whether the puppy has been bred for health.

But I have no issues at all with taking on a puppy or any dog whose background is unknown, and it would be a sad world if such puppies and adult dogs could not find their way into someone's heart. That is what rescue is all about, and that's what rehoming is also about, too. :) Lots of people have been made very happy with dogs who came from uncertain backgrounds -- for example, today I just homed Jack in the Breed Rescue section to a retired couple who are absolutely thrilled with him. Wherever he came from as a puppy, he certainly did not come from a stellar breeder -- that is easy to see for anyone who knows the breed. But what is important is that he was a dog looking for a home, and he found one where he will be greatly loved.

This puppy looked to be in a situation where he needed to be rehomed. That turned out not to be the case, but I've no doubt he would have been dearly loved, and his background in this case would not have mattered at all. :)

Stacey I am sure the right puppy will come along for you before too long.

stacey

23rd May 2006, 10:14 AM

I have to say i agree with you i dont have really any preferences on breed sex Ect its a companion for me and my family that i want. But i cant seem to get any near me and its been like that for months now and i am trying to get someone to give me a lift to see other dogs with no success. So i guess i will just have to wait. I dont think having papers or knowing the background of a dog is the important thing i think its the nature of the animal that matters. :p

Karlin

23rd May 2006, 03:11 PM

The background of cavaliers is very important if you are buying one from a breeder. There's such a high incidence of severe and potentially costly medical issues -- in particular MVD -- that you want a breeder who cardiac tests breeding stock and health tests generally, and knows how to select the right pedigrees (all dogs bring some 'bad genes' into any potential mix and you don;t want to get two sets of the bad genes, nor do you want one of the parents to be known to suffer from any health issue).

The difference in life expectancy of a cavalier from breeder who breeds for heart health and one who doesn't can be a third the length of the dog's life, so this is a very significant element. Many dogs with early onset MVD die of heart failure by age 6 or 7.

That's why it is really important not to breed without understanding all the health and genetic issues, and why it is important to look for a breeder who breeds for health when seeking a puppy. Taking on a rescue dog or a dog needing rehoming is another issue, but I would never, ever go to a breeder who isn't knowledgable on health issues in the breed and working to keep lines as free as possible from ailments. :thmbsup: In Ireland it is very easy to end up with a puppy farm cavalier of extremely poor quality so anyone buying in this market needs to be very vigilant.

cecily

8th June 2006, 09:04 PM

She rang yesterday and decided to keep the pup and when she is away she is going to leave her in kennels . I wished her the best of luck and offered my help if she needed it .

I know this is an oldish thread but I just wanted to say I totally relate stacey. We lost our dog 2 months ago and out of the blue a friend rang to say her mother was selling her cavalier. The reason was they had a child with a disability and could not keep the dog indoors. The lady felt bad and thought others could give him a better home. She'd heard about us and told Rebecca to ask us if we'd be interested. It just so happened that at the time I was down in Waterford, over 3 hours from where I live, and that's where the dog was. Seemed like fate. I got all excited at the thought but then she decided she couldn't part with him after all. I don't blame her... I thought it weird she wanted to sell, but it really brought back the longing for a new friend :)

Maxxs_Mummy

10th June 2006, 11:11 PM

Sounds like you already know the answer! Do you know anything about the breeder, the lines, etc.

BTW, in all the litters we have had, we have NEVER had someone come out to the house, look at the litter and the rest of the adults, and go home without a puppy. I've always said, puppies are as addictive as cocaine.

Oh come on now Bruce... how long have you had Cavaliers for and how long? Surely you know by now that you can have rehab for a cocaine addiction but you can't for Cav addiction - it just gets worse as time goes on :lol:

Stacey, I'm so sorry it didn't work out for your new pup but when the time is right, fate will intervene. It took me 18mths to find my Maxx and from the time we got him we'd been looking for another. We've had Charlie for 7mths now and Maxx is nearly 7! Don't give up hope :D

TKC

14th June 2006, 05:51 PM

Well?

stacey

14th June 2006, 09:31 PM

Hi every one i havent been on line for a while now cos i have been very unwell so trying to sort myself out . Unfortunately i didnt get that cavalier :? but i did get a pup who was in need of a home and even though he isnt a cavalier he is beautifull and has helped me these past few weeks. He is a lovely collie x jr and i got him from the pound . My sister and my brother took two aswell . :p So i hope me and max are still ok to visit ye and i hope some time in the future i just might get that cavalier pup i have been wishing for. Sorry i havent been updating this but i just couldnt get myself to get up to do much this last week or two.

Karlin

14th June 2006, 10:17 PM

Oh sorry to hear you haven't been well but glad you are feeling better! Also that's fantastic that you got a poundie, and that the pup will have friends from your brother and sister's dogs! Sounds like a great match all around. :)

Cathy T

14th June 2006, 11:22 PM

Good for you for getting a poundie pup!! That's super news. And of course you're still welcome here!!

stacey

14th June 2006, 11:30 PM

Thanks . I just went out to pound by chance and there he was he has been great company for me while i was sick . He is great . Made his home out of the kids play house out the back. He will not sleep inside the house he likes sleeping out side he was used to it where he lived before. He is nearly house trained a really great addition to the family my kids love him. Even my hubby is loving the way he sleeps at his feet when he is on the computer he has a really soft spot for him . icon_whistling .

judy

15th June 2006, 02:57 AM

i'm really happy for you and doggie max Stacey. collies are a favorite of mine, and any version of them. if you can post a photo of him, please do.
your cavalier will come along some day too when the time is right. glad you're feeling better enough to return...